In a large studying involving over 1000 babies, Dr Viola Frymann, Osteopath, found that 10 percent of new babies will have little or no inutero or birth strains, 80 percent will have moderate strains and 10 percent will have severe strains. We recommend that all babies should be checked by an experienced Cranial Osteopath.

A baby will often communicate there is a problem by being unsettled, irritable or wakeful. Symptoms in a newborn baby to be aware of are:

colic

excessive wind

continuous crying

difficulty feeding or a preference to feed from one breast

sticky eyes

sleeping difficulties

stiffness of the neck muscles

favouring the head to one side

a misshapen head

Cranial Osteopathy may be useful in treating a wide range of symptoms and conditions in children including the following:

ear infections and glue ear

tongue tie sequelae

back and neck pain

growing pains

headaches

behavioural problems

hyperactivity

speech problems

asthma

dental problems

co-ordination problems

developmental delay

sleep issues

post concussion syndrome (after an injury to the head)

If you would like more information on these including research links, please see our website page providing more information on Osteopathy.

At City Osteopaths, all our Osteopaths are ACC Registered Treatment providers and nearly all our osteopaths are trained and experienced in treating babies and children. If you are not sure how we can help your baby or child, please give us a call and one of our osteopaths will call you back as soon as possible.

Headaches, neck tension and what we can do about all this...Often people have chronic recurring headaches, without realising that they commonly have a mechanical cause. The nerves that give sensation to the sides of the head pass through the muscles of the neck, and if there is sufficient tension in those muscles then the nerves can be compressed, stimulating them.This leads to the sensation of pain or aching in the head, particularly behind the eyes and over the ears, and this pain is often far more noticeable than the tension in the neck.This form of headache is termed 'Cervicogenic', as it originates from the cervical spine.Osteopathy (and Cranial Osteopathy in particular) is very effective at treating the cause of the tension in the neck, which normally leads to a quick resolution of the headaches. It is not necessary to crack your neck as we have gentle treatment options that usually work much better than rough or noisy manipulations.

If anyone would like more information, please feel free to call City Osteopaths on 04 499 1439 and I'd be very happy to call you back and answer any questions.

Recurrent pregnancy loss can be benefited with Acupuncture treatment, assisting with related immune factors, emotional distress, and hormonal imbalances. Acupuncture is also supportive of a developing foetus by improving blood flow supply and preventing involuntary uterine contractions. Balancing the hormonal interaction between the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Ovarian axis (HPO axis) regulating the body’s natural hormone production and Progesterone levels. This results in improved ovarian egg quality and a rich nourishing Uterus lining for a developing embryo, encouraging a 9 month stay.

Acupuncture can be very helpful during pregnancy and in the lead up to labour. During pregnancy we can help with such things as Morning sickness, Emotional issues and Muscular aches and pains. Leading up to labour, Acupuncture works with preparing your body for eminent labour by encouraging efficient ripening of the Cervix, assisting with energy reserves, encouraging baby’s descent and helping with baby positioning. I will show you beneficial Acupressure points that birthing partners can use to provide pain relief and assist a straight forward efficient labour.

We often receive referrals from midwives for breech babies. The treatment involved is very gentle but effective. In the treatment, I burn a Moxa stick (heated Chinese herbs) over a point on your foot. This heat is just another way of stimulating the point. Then I give you a stick of Moxa to take home and repeat the treatment yourself, daily for 10 days. For expectant mothers going over their due date Acupuncture can also be used to gently encourage the body to naturally go into labour without induction, encouraging uterine contractions and promoting labour.

Several studies have been conducted exploring the use of Acupuncture to prepare woman for labour; the first being in 1974. The results of this research concluded Acupuncture received on a weekly basis from 37 weeks, was beneficial in reducing the average labour time from 8 hours 2 minutes to 6 hours 36 minutes (in the Acupuncture group).

Further research conducted by Zeisler into the use of Acupuncture points from 36 weeks showed positive effects on first stage labour duration shortening from 5 hours 35min to 3 hours 27mins in the group who had received Acupuncture.

Research into Acupuncture from 35 weeks gestation has shown the following statistics:

In Asian culture it is customary for woman to have a 30 day rest post labour. Understandably society doesn’t exactly facilitate this occurring... The focus of Acupuncture treatments post-delivery are directed towards; mood balancing, assisting with energy levels, facilitating lactation and milk production.